Beneath the Covers (Kimani Romance)

by Girard, Dara

  Peter Warren hadn’t been part of her plan.

  They were opposites, but somehow they’d clicked. Strange how it was her friend Tamara looking for a good time and a nightclub that had brought them together.

  Chapter 7

  “He’s mine,” her friend Tamara said the moment she saw the two men enter the club.

  They sat at a table that gave them an unobstructed view of the entry.

  Claudia stifled a grin, not surprised by her friend’s words. The two women shared an apartment and sometimes clothes, but never men. It was a promise they had made between themselves. Fortunately, it had never been an issue, because their taste in men was so different.

  Claudia studied the two men, doing her best to guess which one would soon be in her friend’s clutches. The first man looked like a possible regular in a brown leather jacket and sporting a diamond stud earring. His friend, on the other hand, stood out not only because he was tall and as light-skinned as his friend was dark, but his clothes branded him an outsider. His conservatively cut jacket and dark trousers didn’t blend in with the ethnic flavor of the club.

  “I bet I know which one is yours,” Claudia said.

  “Go ahead.”

  “You like the one who looks like he belongs on a campaign trail or could take over a corporation.”

  Tamara grinned. “I’ve been working on him for two months now. It took me forever to get him to meet me here at the club. I only convinced him because I said I’d have someone for his friend.”

  Claudia pointed to herself. “That would be me.”

  “Yes. Keep his friend suitably entertained while I work on becoming the next Mrs. Peter Warren.”

  “You’re that certain?”

  “He’s perfect for a woman with my aspirations. He comes from money and has prominent parents, even though they’re divorced. He’s studying film and radio for his bachelor’s degree, but I’m sure with the right guidance he can be persuaded to enter a more suitable career. And his father’s business is very profitable.”

  “And what if he doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps?”

  “He will. He’s rich, handsome and full of potential.” Tamara lightly tapped her chest as though her heart were fluttering. “I’m in love with him already.”

  Claudia laughed. “You hardly know him. I’ve never seen you like this.”

  “I know. That must mean he’s The One.”

  Claudia resisted rolling her eyes. “How come I’ve never met him or heard you talk about him?”

  “You’ve always been out when he’s stopped by, and I didn’t want to mention anything just in case nothing developed. Now things have changed.”

  Claudia believed her. No man was safe when Tamara was on the prowl. Even she wasn’t immune to her friend’s influence. She wouldn’t have come to the Virginia nightclub if Tamara hadn’t forced her.

  “You’ve got to learn to live a little,” she’d said when Claudia had settled in for another night of studying. “You’re doing great in all your courses. Don’t grow old before your time.”

  Her friend was right. Claudia buried herself in medical school and her job as a research assistant in a prestigious science lab near the university. Going out was a good break and would put her newfound knowledge about observing people to work. The Kalahari, a West African-themed jazz club known for its fine cuisine and music, was a great place to push worries aside. Its popularity came solely from word of mouth through the immigrant college crowd at the local university and colleges in the area.

  “Looks like they won’t even make it in,” Claudia said, noticing how the bouncer was hassling the two men and checking their IDs.

  “Yes, they will.” Tamara slipped out of her chair and weaved her way through the crowd until she reached the pair. She immediately claimed the one she wanted when she slid her arm through Peter’s and kissed him. Claudia didn’t know what she said to the bouncer, but moments later the two men were heading toward their table.

  “There was a minor misunderstanding with their IDs,” Tamara explained.

  “Misunderstanding?” Claudia asked.

  “Yes, he thought they were fakes,” she said, flashing Peter’s ID, which said he was a lot older than he looked, before handing it back to him. “But it’s been cleared up.” She brushed something from Peter’s jacket. “He’s probably just jealous that your shoes cost more than he makes in a month.”

  Peter’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t reply.

  The expression came and went in an instant, but Claudia couldn’t ignore the meaning: he didn’t like the mention of his money. She glanced at her friend but could see that Tamara hadn’t noticed anything. His friend, however, did. Claudia decided to ease the tension with a smile. “I’m glad you both made it. Hi, I’m Claudia.”

  Tamara turned to her. “Yes, where are my manners? Claudia, this is Darius and Peter.”

  “A pleasure,” she said, shaking Darius’s hand then Peter’s.

  Darius met her eyes and smiled; Peter also met her eyes, but he held her hand in a warm, solid grip a tad longer than she’d expected.

  “How come he didn’t hassle you?” Darius asked.

  “Because Tamara’s cousin owns the club,” Claudia said, quickly trying to recover from the sensuous touch of Peter’s hand.

  “That’s good to know. Can I get you ladies anything?”

  Claudia and Tamara gave him their orders, then Peter said something to him in a low voice before he left to get their drinks at the bar.

  “I’m so glad you could make it, Peter,” Tamara said as he draped his jacket on the back of his chair. When he sat down, she looped her arm through his again.

  Claudia noticed the slight jaw twitch again and inwardly groaned. You’re overdoing it, Tamara, she wanted to say. He doesn’t like to be grabbed at. Be more subtle. Her friend was cute, petite and bubbly, and that usually worked with men. But Claudia knew her friend would have to try a different tactic with Peter. When he glanced away, Claudia nudged her friend then mouthed “Let go.”

  Tamara did, and she saw Peter relax.

  “This is your first time here, right?” Tamara asked in an anxious voice.

  “Yes,” Peter said and rested his arms on the table.

  His terse reply wasn’t a good sign. Claudia saw the desperation on her friend’s face. If she didn’t do something soon, the evening would be a disaster. Claudia glanced down and saw something peeking out from under his shirtsleeve. The sight of it stunned her. “Is that a tattoo?” Before he could respond, she reached over and pushed his sleeve back, revealing a Japanese character. “It’s beautiful. Not every artist can make the symbol look so smooth and clean.” Claudia traced the pattern with her finger. “It means peace, right?”

  “No, it means harmony.”

  She shot her head up, stunned by the mesmerizing sound of his deep voice. “Oh,” she said, unable to manage anything more interesting.

  “I bet you have a tattoo also.”

  She nodded, still captivated by the sound of his voice.

  “Can I guess where?”

  She swallowed, a hint of anticipation shooting through her. “Try your best.”

  Peter’s gaze lazily roamed over her figure then returned back to her face. “Your ankle.”

  Claudia widened her eyes, surprised by his accuracy. “How did you know?”

  Peter nodded to her leg, and she glanced down and noticed that her short skirt and crossed legs had made the tattoo on her ankle visible. She laughed. “So much for guessing.”

  He grinned. “It was the first thing I noticed when you sat down.”

  “You obviously have an eye for detail.”

  “I have an eye for a lot of things.” His eyes captured hers.

  Claudia nearly stopped breathing. He stared back at her with depthless, dark brown eyes that hid a mystery she wanted to solve. She soon became aware of how warm his skin felt beneath her fingers. She hadn’t stopped touching him. She yanked her hands back.
“I’m sorry,” she said, quickly remembering how his jaw twitched when Tamara touched him.

  Tamara grabbed Claudia’s arm and pulled her out of her chair. “We’re going to go freshen up,” she told Peter, dragging her friend away.

  Once in the restroom, Claudia said, “What was that all about?”

  “I told you he’s mine.”

  Claudia laughed. “That was pretty obvious the moment you pounced on him.”

  Tamara looked in the mirror and touched up her lipstick. “I didn’t pounce. I staked claim.” She turned back to her friend. “Hands off, Claudia.”

  “But I didn’t do anything.”

  “You were flirting.” She mimicked Claudia’s tone. “Oh, wow, it’s beautiful. It means peace, right? You obviously have an eye for detail.”

  “He was the one who asked about my tattoo. I was just trying to get him to talk. I didn’t expect the tattoo. Don’t tell me that the sight of it didn’t surprise you.”

  “Yes, it did, but let me be surprised. Not you.”

  “He’s not my type anyway. Besides, I like my men older.”

  “He’s two years older than we are.”

  “You bought that ID?”

  “Yes. He can’t help it that he’s adorable.”

  Claudia thought about his tattoo and his eyes. Puppies and babies were adorable. Peter was something else.

  “This is my chance. Don’t mess it up for me.”

  “I wouldn’t dare, but I’d be careful. Still waters run deep.”

  “I like them strong and silent. Honey, when I grabbed his arm, you wouldn’t believe the muscle I felt there. I bet his thighs are just as solid.”

  “I wouldn’t keep squeezing him if I were you, and don’t keep mentioning his money.”

  Tamara narrowed her gaze. “You think you know him better than I do? I’ve studied psychology too, you know.”

  Claudia shook her head. “I’m only trying to help. I want to see you happy.”

  Tamara smiled. “I am happy, and I’ll be as naughty or as nice as I need to be to keep his interest.” She finished touching up her makeup and combing her hair then got three condoms from the dispenser on the wall. “It’s going to be a fun night.”

  And it was. Claudia danced with Darius but didn’t want to monopolize him, so she encouraged him to mingle with other women while she danced with an exchange student from Sweden and then a guy from California. The music was booming, the crowd rocking and the drinks flowing.

  Claudia returned to the table happy and exhausted, surprised to see Peter there alone. “Where’s Tamara?”

  He gestured to the dance floor, where Tamara was dancing sandwiched between two men. Claudia laughed then sobered when she remembered her companion. “She really likes you. I’m telling you this so you don’t have to be nervous or anything. It’s like discovering there’s a pop quiz. No matter what you do, you’ll get an A. So all that—” Claudia waved toward her friend in a dismissive gesture “—is nothing serious. She’s just having fun and trying to impress you.”

  Peter pushed a glass aside and rested his arms on the table.

  “But you’re not having fun, are you? This isn’t your kind of place.”

  He shrugged. “I’m open to new experience,” he said, handing her a napkin.

  “Oh, thanks,” Claudia said, wiping the sweat from her forehead and then her neck. “I love to dance, but I always have to go home and take a shower.” Claudia dabbed her chest then stopped when she felt him go still. He probably found her coarse. The women he probably went out with wouldn’t dry themselves off with a bar napkin. She crunched up the napkin and cleared her throat. “I hope you haven’t been designated to guard the table. If you want to dance, I can keep watch.”

  Peter bit his lip then said, “No, I’m fine.”

  “You don’t want to dance?”

  He shook his head again. “Not yet.”

  Claudia stifled a groan. The strong silent type. Tamara could keep him. She turned her attention to the dance floor, hoping she could spot Darius. “What a crowd, huh?” she said just to fill the silence between them. “I like to study people.” She surveyed the crowd then pointed. “See that woman over there? She’s going to wake up tomorrow regretting her decision if she leaves with that man. He’s married. Want to know how I know?”

  She glanced at Peter expecting him to look bored. Instead, she found his intense gaze focused on her. He nodded. She swallowed, suddenly unnerved by his attention. “I’ve met his wife.” She gestured to a man near the back wall. “Now that guy is out of his league. He needs to go to some place quiet. He’s probably like you. You’re only here because of Tamara, right?”

  Peter shook his head then offered her a sudden arresting smiled.

  Claudia caught her breath. He was a lot more than adorable. He was gorgeous. He’s mine, she heard Tamara say. Claudia clenched her hand into a fist and stared down at the table. He wasn’t her type anyway.

  “Okay, now it’s your turn. You try to read people.”

  “I won’t be as good as you.”

  She fell forward, again enchanted by his voice. “It’s like a secret weapon.”

  Peter blinked. “What?”

  “That voice. It’s beautiful. Why don’t you talk more often? No wonder you’re studying radio and film. You’ll be perfect.”

  “Tamara thinks I’m doing it as a hobby. She’s not the only one.”

  “Don’t worry. She’ll get used to the idea. You have to follow your passion.”

  “Even at my age?”

  “You’re what? Twenty-seven?”

  He nodded.

  “That means you’re seasoned. Besides, you could easily pass for much younger. A lot of students enter college because they don’t know what to do or because they have to. You know why you’re here, and it’s better late than never.” She smiled at him, letting all her preconceived notions drift away. He wasn’t a snob or dull. He was wonderful. “I admire you. It takes courage to do what you want when others don’t approve.”

  Peter leaned forward. “My parents still hope it’s a phase. I’ve already done some voice-over work, and in high school I interned at a local radio station. They actually offered me a job. I also have a successful podcast.”

  “Why are you even in school then?”

  He lowered his eyes. “Degrees mean a lot in my family. I thought if I had to get one, I might as well get one in a field that interests me.” He met her eyes. “But enough about me. Why did you choose psychiatry?”

  “Actually, I did a double major in both psychology and psychiatry. I wanted to make sure I had the medical training of a psychiatrist so that I could prescribe the best medications for my patients. And a psychology degree allows me to not have to rely on a big practice, but to spend part of my time doing research and writing articles. People fascinate me.”

  Peter rested his chin in his hand. “Do I fascinate you?”

  In every way, Claudia thought, falling into his melting brown eyes. She blinked, realizing the danger of her thoughts. “Yes. I mean no.”

  “Which is it? Yes or no?”

  “Yes, but in a purely speculative way.”

  Peter’s eyes brightened with amusement. “Of course.” He glanced at something behind her then stood. “Come on,” he said, taking her hand.

  “Where?”

  “Where do you think?” he said then led her onto the dance floor.

  “You want to dance?” He pulled her to him and she tried to wiggle away. “This isn’t the way it works. You’re here with Tamara.”

  “I don’t see her with me right now.”

  “She really likes you.”

  “And you don’t?”

  “Not the way she does.”

  “Relax. I saw her dancing with Darius.”

  Claudia sighed with relief. “Okay.” She held up one finger. “Just one song.”

  Peter only smiled.

  Claudia danced with him the rest of the night. He was a great dancer. Whe
ther the beat was fast or slow, with him she lost track of time. At times they danced together and other times apart, but she had a wild night with an unassuming man who made her laugh and feel wonderful. Then she raised her arm to wipe the back of her forehead and glanced at her watch. She swore.

  “What?”

  She tapped her watch. “That can’t be the time.”

  “It’s still early.”

  “It’s nearly one o’clock. I’ve got work tomorrow.” She swore again. “And I forgot all about Tamara.” She briefly squeezed her eyes shut. “She’s going to kill me.” She began to make her way through the crowd.

  Peter grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. “Claudia, we need to talk,” he said, his voice urgent.

  She held up her hand. “No, we don’t.”

  “We can’t pretend that—”

  “Yes, we can, and if you won’t, I will. This can go no further. You’re good for her, she’ll make you happy. Let’s leave it at that.”

  “You don’t mean that.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Peter looked at Claudia for a long moment then let her arm go.

  Claudia returned to the table, where Tamara sat steaming. She looked at Peter then glared at Claudia. Claudia held up both her hands. “I am so sorry. We lost track of time.”

  Claudia saw Peter’s jaw twitch, but this time she didn’t care.

  Peter grabbed his jacket from off the back of the chair then took Tamara’s hand in such a smooth, inoffensive gesture, both women were too surprised to protest. Claudia watched him take her friend over to a quiet corner. Tamara stared up at him with her arms folded defensively.

  “He doesn’t know what he’s dealing with,” Claudia muttered.

  “Yes, he does,” Darius said, coming up behind her. “Don’t underestimate him.”

  He was right. As Peter continued to talk, Claudia saw her friend soften. Then smile.